Toy.



G. F. VOLTZ.

TOY.

AFPLIOATION FILED AUG. 1s. 1911.

1,073,880. Patented sept.4 23, '1913.

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tiniTnn sTaTns yATnnT Tirion.

GEORG FERRY VOLTZ, 0F HORNA, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM 0F ERNST PAUL LEHMANN, 0F BRANDENBURG-ONTHEHAVEL, GERMANY.

TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 23, 1 913.

'To all whom z' may vconcern Re it known that I, GEORG FERRY VoL'rz, subject 'of the King of Prussia, residing at Hernan, in the Kingdom ot' Prussia, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Toys, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved toy, which may also be employed as an instructive model in teaching physics, its function being derived from the gyroscopic principle. By the aid of said principle a toy Vehicle or car mounted on two or more wheels placed in line vor approximately in line behind each other may be made to run, being maintained in a state of equilibrium by thc power of gyration, without which the vehicle or car would at once tumble down by the want of support on its line of motion.

The object ot' my invention is to construct a toy-vehicle or ear according to said principle.

In order to make my invention properly understood, I have illustrated the same in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side-elevation of a car, partly in section, provided with the apparatus ot' my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of a part of the said apparatus with the top removed. Fig. 3 is a front-view of the same in transverse section on line AMB oi Fig. l, parts being shown in elevation; and Fig. 4 is a side-view ot' the lower part of the apparatus, seen Jfrom the side opposite to that shown in Fig. l.

Referring to Figs. l to Il, r is a car of any suitable shape or construction, mounted on two wheels c, and 8, in line behind each other with a suitable distance between them, the Yliront-wheel 0, being the steering wheel while the other wheel s only serves to support the rear portion of the ear. The said steering-wheel e has its axle carried in the sides of a frame b having an upper trunnion b1 and a lower trunnion 52, the latter being carried by a cross stay b3 between the two sides of said. frame I). Bearings are provided for the said trunnions b1 and b2 in the flattened ends of a rod CZ, forming a bow and secured to the bottom o't the car by means of a plate 71. or any other suitable means. The said bow (Z, thereby, is rigidly held in position and the frame b, arranged to turn between the two ends of said bow, forming bearings for the trunnions b1 and b2. The supporting frame I) extends through ay suitable aperture in the bottom ot the car r, and across the upper portion ot' the said frame I) extends the axle a' of the gyrator or revolving ily-wheel a, the ends of the axle ai being pointed Yfor redlicing friction and supported in corresponding bearings in a well known manner, as fully shown in Figs. 2, and 3. It will be seen, then, that the traine b, holding within its upper portion the gyrator a, and within its lower end the steering-wheel c, forms a rigid connection between the said gyrator and wheel e, holding them constantly in the same plane but allowing free and independent rotatory motion to either of them. rlhe said gyrator a, and steering wheel c, might as well be supported by separate frames or forks, not integral with each other, in such case the two trames or forks must be rigidly secured to each other and their planes coinciding with each other. A single 'frame D, as shown, holding both the gyrator and the steering wheel c, is preferred as best answering the purpose in view.

In using the toy, rotatory motion of great speed is imparted to the gyrator a, by any suitable means, such, for instance, as shown in Fig. 3, consisting oit a train ot' wheels and pinions carried by a :traine side secured to one side ot' the frame Z). A suitable key ot' a known kind, turned by a crank or handle is placed on the square portion g, of one of the axles ot' the train of wheels, thus transmitting rotatory motion of a multiplied speed to the gyrator, while low speed, at the same time, is imparted to the steering wheel c. On starting the car or vehicle r by placing it on its supporting surface and givlng it a starting push in the direction oi its intended motion, the said gyrator a, by its momentum and great speed upholds the car and prevents its tumbling or losing its state oit equilibrium.

As stated before, the means of imparting rotatory motion oi great speed to the rotator or gyrator a, may be varied, as desired. The train ot gear-wheels shown may be replaced by clock-work driven by a spring, or a cord wound up to the axle m of the gyrator may serve to impart motion to said gyrator by being rapidly wound oil, in the well-known manner employed in starting toy-tops. Any other driving means might as well be employed, and if the driving power is only made to actuat-e the gyrator, the rotatory motion of the gyrator may be transmittedV to the steering wheel c, by any suitable means, such as gearing or friction wheels or the like. Instead of making the Car travel on by imparting driving power to the rontor steering wheel c, such driving power might as well be applied to the rear wheel s, and separate,independent driving means, such as a spring-driven clockwork or motor of any kind might be employed to make the ear travel. Or it might be caused to move on by the aid of a screwpropeller or the like, independent of the wheels.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a wheeled toy, in combination, a gyrator, a wheel on which the toy travels, said gyrator and wheel being mounted to rotate in substantially the same plane, and actuating gearing arranged to drive said gyrator and said wheel.

2. In a wheeled toy, in combination, a gyrator7 a wheel on which the toy travels, said gyrator and wheel being mounted to rotate in substantially the same plane, and actuating gearing arranged to drive said gyrator and said wheel at different rates of speed.

3. In a wheeled toy, in combination, a gyrator, a steering wheel, suitable aXles earrying said gyrator and said steering wheel, a-frame rigidly connecting said axles whereby said gyrator and said steering wheel are compelled to rotate in substantially the same plane, and gearing arranged to impart motion at different ratesvof speed to the gyrator and the steering wheel.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORG FERRY VOLTZ. Witnesses: v

JEAN GRUND,V CARL GRUND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

